Welcome to WLL #326. The issue of the missing years of Jesus’ childhood is thorny and the ‘infancy gospels’ are long contested. So we don’t lay any claim to the accuracy of the cartoon at right, nor do we know the source. For the more conservative out there, try not to be offended.

As the band U2 celebrates 40 years, some great insights from across the the pond from writer and podcast host Justin Brierley talking to Phil Vischer and Skye Jethani. “Their faith is hidden in plain sight.”

Decisions vs. Disciples: “Maybe we need to begin creating a gospel culture of discipleship that sets people up for a lifetime of loving devotion to Christ and his Church, rather than a short-lived, saved-from-our-sins, get-out-of-hell-free-card, system of salvation.” Rethinking the classic altar call.

Trusting God when you’re a natural control freak: “Whether it’s my child getting her feelings hurt by a classmate, my oldest friend trying to care for her family as she recovers from major surgery, or my husband tossing in bed as he wonders how to handle a complicated situation at work, I want to be the fixer.”

The Burning Man Festival: “James Walker, president of Watchman Fellowship. He notes the festival is at the very least ‘spiritual’ if not a ‘semi-religious cultural happening.’ Religious themes and iconography are abundant including temples, labyrinths, demons, angels, gods, goddesses, priests, and corporate logos,’ he notes. Walker suggests Burning Man has begun to function as both a parody of religion and a surrogate for traditional religion.

Music News: Cheri Keaggy is back. “After an incredible season of ministry that left me suffering from burn-out, I knew I had to guard that, to remember my First Love…”